‘I am so proud of myself for not giving up!’ – Ronwen Williams on Ballon d’Or nod

Robert Marawa chats to Ronwen Williams. 

The last 48 hours have felt like a dream for the goalkeeper after being nominated for a Ballon d’Or.

Williams became the first goalkeeper to receive a nod for the Yacine Trophy while playing for an African club.

ALSO READ: Bafana Bafana's Ronwen Williams nominated for Yacine Trophy at Ballon d’Or

“It still feels so unreal, like I’m dreaming… I’m blessed.”

- Ronwen Williams, goalkeeper - Bafana Bafana

“I was sitting at home. At around 6 pm our media officer [at Sundowns] called to congratulate me and I thought, ‘What are you congratulating me on now?'… I just went numb. I just said ‘Thank you, I’ll speak to you later’ [and] I think my body left me for a moment.”

- Ronwen Williams, goalkeeper - Bafana Bafana

Since receiving the news, Williams says it has made him reflect on his journey thus far. 

“I’ve got goosebumps. It still feels unreal as a local boy… I am so proud of myself for not giving up.” 

- Ronwen Williams, goalkeeper - Bafana Bafana

Williams spent part of his youth career with Premier League Club Tottenham Hotspur before joining SuperSport United as a youth player in 2004. 

He made his debut for the first team in 2012 and, 10 years later, signed with Mamelodi Sundowns.

He made his debut for Bafana Bafana in 2014 in a friendly against Brazil after first-choice goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune got injured. 

“This is also to inspire our people, the next generation, your dreams are valid… I am living proof of that now. As much as this is big for me, it’s massive for the country and the next generation to come.”

- Ronwen Williams, goalkeeper - Bafana Bafana

“I have sacrificed so much in my life to leave at such a young age – 12 years old. I never wanted to let them [my parents] down. It was so difficult, I missed so many important things along the way.”

- Ronwen Williams, goalkeeper - Bafana Bafana

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.